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Union County, Oregon (OR)



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Union County, OR mapCounty population in 2005: 24,540 (58% urban, 42% rural)
County owner-occupied houses and condos: 6,482
Renter-occupied apartments: 3,258
% of renters here:  33%
State:  36%
Land area: 2037 sq. mi.
Water area: 2.0 sq. mi.
Population density: 12 people per square mile 
 
 (low).

Residents with income below the poverty level in 1999:
This county:  13.8%
Whole state:  11.6%

Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level in 1999:
This county:  5.9%
Whole state:  5.0%

Industries providing employment: Educational,health and social services (24.0%), Manufacturing (13.3%), Retail trade (13.2%).

Type of workers:

  • Private wage or salary: 67%
  • Government: 22%
  • Self-employed, not incorporated: 11%
  • Unpaid family work: 1%

Union County, Oregon business tout: stores, dealers, real estate agents, wholesalers, restaurants...

Races in Union County, Oregon:

  • White Non-Hispanic (93.1%)
  • Hispanic (2.4%)
  • Two or more races (1.7%)
  • American Indian (1.6%)
  • Other race (1.2%)
  • Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (0.6%)
  • Black (0.5%)
(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Median resident age:  37.7 years
Oregon median age:  36.3 years

Males: 11,955  (48.7%)
Females: 12,575  (51.3%)
Average wage per job in 2003: $26,906
County population in 2003: 24,505
Jobs in 2003: 10,978

Union County,OR real estate house value trend


Total labor force in 2004: 12,160
Unemployment rate in 2004: 7.4%

Average household size:
Union County:  2.5 people
Oregon:  2.5 people

Estimated median household income in 2005: $35,410 ($33,738 in 2000)
This county  $35,410
Oregon:  $42,944

Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $129,165
Union County  $129,165
Oregon:  $201,200

Median monthly rent in 2000: $487
Institutionalized population: 204
Median monthly costs for houses with a mortgage in Union County in 2000: $772


Crime in 2005 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):

  • Murders: 0
  • Rapes: 0
  • Robberies: 0
  • Assaults: 2
  • Burglaries: 36
  • Thefts: 59
  • Auto thefts: 10

Crime in 2004 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):

  • Murders: 1
  • Rapes: 0
  • Robberies: 1
  • Assaults: 3
  • Burglaries: 33
  • Thefts: 87
  • Auto thefts: 9

Union County races chart


Union County, OR map from a distance

Single-family new house construction building permits:
  • 2000: 46 buildings, average cost: $111,300
  • 2001: 30 buildings, average cost: $135,300
  • 2002: 35 buildings, average cost: $155,300
  • 2003: 31 buildings, average cost: $199,700
  • 2004: 32 buildings, average cost: $220,700
  • 2005: 54 buildings, average cost: $212,400
  • 2006: 64 buildings, average cost: $203,000

Number of permits per 10,000 residents


Average cost (in 1000s)




2004 Presidential Election results in Union County Oregon:


Bush/Cheney (Republican): 65.7%
Kerry/Edwards (Democratic): 32.8%




Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units in 2000: $1,133 (1.2%)

Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Union County is $427 a month.
Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $563 a month.
Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $821 a month.

Cities in this county include: La Grande, Union, Elgin, Island City, Cove, North Powder, Imbler, Summerville, Starkey.

2005 air pollution in Union County:

Particulate Matter (PM10) Annual: 22 µg/m3. Near U.S. average.
Particulate Matter (PM10) 24-hour (standard limit: 150 µg/m3): 48 µg/m3. Near U.S. average.
Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Annual (standard limit: 15.0 µg/m3): 8.8 µg/m3. Below U.S. average.
Particulate Matter (PM2.5) 24-hour (standard limit: 35 µg/m3): 31 µg/m3. Near U.S. average.


Neighboring counties: Baker County , Grant County , Umatilla County , Wallowa County .


Union County close-up map

Click to draw/clear county borders

Notable locations in this county outside city limits:

Notable locations in Union County: Grande Ronde Group Camp (A), Grande Ronde Guard Station (B), Grande Ronde Lake Recreation Site (C), Grandview Campground (D), Camp One (E), Umatilla Brakes Viewpoint (F), Union Junction (G), Vey Ranch (H), Vincent Ranch (I), West Eagle Horse Camp (J), West Ranch (K), Catherine Creek Cabin (L), Catherine Creek Guard Station (M), Catherine Summit Sno-Park (N), Anthony Lakes Forest Service Station (O), Anthony Lakes Sno-Park (P), Wolf Creek Reservoir Recreation Site (Q), Gulling (R), Woodland Recreation Site (S), Woodland Sno-Park (T). Display/hide their locations on the map

Church in Union County: Pine Grove Church (A). Display/hide its location on the map

Cemeteries: Grandview Cemetery (1), Elgin Cemetery (2), Ackles Cemetery (3), Starkey Cemetery (4), Summerville-Imbler Cemetery (5), Pine Grove Cemetery (6), Galloway Cemetery (7). Display/hide their locations on the map

Lakes, reservoirs, and swamps: Maxwell Lake (A), Vogel Pond (B), Erickson Lake (C), Heart Lake (D), Culver Lake (E), Little Pop Lake (F), Grande Ronde Lake (G), Moon Lake (H). Display/hide their locations on the map

Streams, rivers, and creeks: Meadowbrook Creek (A), Medicine Creek (B), Metzler Creek (C), Milk Creek (D), Millard Branch (E), Moses Creek (F), Mottet Creek (G), Mount Emily Creek (H), Kelly Springs Creek (I). Display/hide their locations on the map

Parks in Union County include: Catherine Creek State Park (1), Red Bridge State Park (2), Dorion Historical Marker (3), Hilgard Junction State Park (4), Thief Valley County Park (5), Pioneer Monument (6), Ladd Marsh Game Management Area (7), Pilcher Creek Recreation Area (8). Display/hide their locations on the map

Post office: Medical Springs Post Office (A). Display/hide its location on the map

 
Unemployment in September 2007:
Here:  4.7%
Oregon:  4.7%


Unemployment by year (%)


County total employment by year


County average yearly wages by year ($)


Current college students: 2,077
People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 85.6%
People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 21.8%

Number of foreign born residents: 655 (36% naturalized citizens)

Union County:  2.7%
Whole state:  8.5%


Year of entry for the foreign-born population

  • 1995 to March 2000: 228
  • 1990 to 1994: 98
  • 1985 to 1989: 106
  • 1980 to 1984: 41
  • 1975 to 1979: 25
  • 1970 to 1974: 12
  • 1970 to 1974: 19
  • 1965 to 1969: 126

Mean travel time to work: 16.3 minutes

Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 93.8%

Union County marital status for males

Union County marital status for females

Housing units in structures:

  • One, detached: 7,239
  • One, attached: 215
  • Two: 364
  • 3 or 4: 187
  • 5 to 9: 361
  • 10 to 19: 214
  • 20 or more: 492
  • Mobile homes: 1,523
  • Boats, RVs, vans, etc.: 8

Housing units in Union County with a mortgage: 2,803 (242 second mortgage, 230 home equity loan, 0 both second mortgage and home equity loan)
Houses without a mortgage: 1,490


Agriculture in Union County
Average size of farms: 482 acres
Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $48352
Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $291.34
The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 0.29%
The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 36.34%
Average total farm production expenses per farm: $56121
Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 21.93%
Irrigated harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 53.32%
Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $193196
The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 91.24%
Average age of principal farm operators: 55 years
Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 6.47
Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 0.16%
All wheat for grain: 27448 harvested acres
Vegetables: 13 harvested acres
Land in orchards: 513 acres


Class of Workers



Most common industries for males:



  • Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (11%)
  • Wood products (10%)
  • Construction (8%)
  • Educational services (8%)
  • Transportation equipment (6%)
  • Public administration (6%)
  • Accommodation and food services (6%)


Most common industries for females:



  • Educational services (20%)
  • Health care (14%)
  • Accommodation and food services (10%)
  • Public administration (6%)
  • Department and other general merchandise stores (4%)
  • Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (4%)
  • Professional, scientific, and technical services (4%)


Most common occupations for males



  • Other production occupations including supervisors (6%)
  • Other sales and related workers including supervisors (5%)
  • Farmers and farm managers (5%)
  • Other management occupations except farmers and farm managers (4%)
  • Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (4%)
  • Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (4%)
  • Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers (3%)


Most common occupations for females



  • Secretaries and administrative assistants (6%)
  • Preschool, kindergarten, elementary and middle school teachers (5%)
  • Information and record clerks except customer service representatives (5%)
  • Other office and administrative support workers including supervisors (4%)
  • Other management occupations except farmers and farm managers (4%)
  • Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (4%)
  • Other sales and related workers including supervisors (4%)


Most common places of birth for the foreign-born residents:



  • Mexico (25%)
  • Canada (14%)
  • Micronesia (12%)
  • Japan (6%)
  • Germany (5%)
  • China, excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan (4%)
  • Korea (4%)


Most common first ancestries reported in Union County:



  • German (20%)
  • United States or American (16%)
  • English (12%)
  • Irish (11%)
  • Scotch-Irish (3%)
  • French (except Basque) (3%)
  • Swedish (3%)

Union County mode of transportation to work chart

Means of transportation to work

  • Drove a car alone: 7,966 (74%)
  • Carpooled: 1,244 (12%)
  • Bus or trolley bus: 7 (0%)
  • Motorcycle: 4 (0%)
  • Bicycle: 141 (1%)
  • Walked: 669 (6%)
  • Other means: 34 (0%)
  • Worked at home: 707 (7%)
 

People in group quarters in Union County, Oregon
  • 343 people in college dormitories (includes college quarters off campus)
  • 137 people in nursing homes
  • 86 people in other noninstitutional group quarters
  • 41 people in local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups)
  • 24 people in short-term care, detention or diagnostic centers for delinquent children
  • 17 people in homes for the mentally retarded
  • 15 people in other group homes
  • 4 people in agriculture workers' dormitories on farms
  • 2 people in hospitals/wards and hospices for chronically ill
  • 2 people in other hospitals or wards for chronically ill

Average gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2005 was $44,090.

7.16% of this county's 2006 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2005 ($31,959 average adjusted gross income)

Here:  7.16%
Oregon average:  8.89%

0.15% of residents moved from foreign countries ($159 average AGI)
Union County:  0.15%
Oregon average:  0.11%

3.68% relocated from other counties in Oregon ($15,219 average AGI)
3.33% relocated from other states ($16,581 average AGI)
Union County:  3.33%
Oregon average:  4.35%



Percentage of residents relocating from other counties or countries


Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2005 and 2006:
from Baker County, OR  0.52% ($28,022 average AGI)
from Umatilla County, OR  0.50% ($26,114)
from Multnomah County, OR  0.33% ($28,897)
from Deschutes County, OR  0.30% ($25,538)
from Washington County, OR  0.23% ($45,800)
from Wallowa County, OR  0.19% ($23,706)
from Malheur County, OR  0.17% ($14,600)


8.20% of this county's 2005 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2006 ($31,107 average adjusted gross income)

Here:  8.20%
Oregon average:  7.91%

10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries.
4.02% relocated to other counties in Oregon ($14,335 average AGI)
4.17% relocated to other states ($16,772 average AGI)
Union County:  4.17%
Oregon average:  3.37%



Percentage of residents relocating to other counties or countries


Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2005 and 2006:
to Umatilla County, OR  0.66% ($31,475 average AGI)
to Ada County, ID  0.45% ($23,100)
to Baker County, OR  0.45% ($25,975)
to Multnomah County, OR  0.39% ($24,314)
to Lane County, OR  0.34% ($20,200)
to Deschutes County, OR  0.33% ($22,034)
to Washington County, OR  0.29% ($26,423)

Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 12.3
Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2003: 12.4



Births per 1000 population in Union County

Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 9.4
Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2003: 9.8



Deaths per 1000 population in Union County

Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 3.3
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2003: 7.6



Infant deaths per 1000 live births in Union County

Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2003: 4,260 (3,709 aged, 551 disabled)
Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 14%
Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 12%


Household type by relationship


Households: 23,861
  • In family households: 19,859 (5,210 male householders, 1,358 female householders)
    5,482 spouses, 6,502 children (5,857 natural, 183 adopted, 462 stepchildren), 304 grandchildren, 132 brothers or sisters, 64 parents, 232 other relatives, 575 non-relatives
  • In nonfamily households: 4,002 (1,373 male householders (1,029 living alone)), 1,808 female householders (1,513 living alone)), 821 nonrelatives
  • In group quarters: 669 (188 institutionalized population)

Size of family households: 3,163 2-persons, 1,406 3-persons, 1,153 4-persons, 533 5-persons, 231 6-persons, 82 7-or-more-persons.

Size of nonfamily households: 2,542 1-person, 506 2-persons, 79 3-persons, 40 4-persons, 7 5-persons, 7 6-persons.

95.5% of residents of Union County speak English at home.
2.7% of residents speak Spanish at home (62% speak English very well, 16% speak English well, 21% speak English not well, 1% don't speak English at all).
0.9% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (89% speak English very well, 9% speak English well, 2% speak English not well).
0.9% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (45% speak English very well, 27% speak English well, 29% speak English not well).
0.1% of residents speak other language at home (86% speak English very well, 14% speak English not well).

In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $157,934,000 ($6471 per capita)
Department of Defense expenditure: $7,625,000
Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $69,474,000
Federal other direct payments to individuals: $33,857,000
Federal direct payments not to individuals: $3,219,000
Federal grants: $26,904,000
Federal procurement contracts: $10,458,000 ($72,000 Department of Defense)
Federal salaries and wages: $14,023,000 ($4,165,000 Department of Defense)
Federal Government direct loans: $1,314,000
Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $13,534,000
Federal Government insurance: $25,023,000

Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 1,592
Here:  65 per 1000 residents
State:  65 per 1000 residents

Deaths: 1,238
Here:  50 per 1000 residents
State:  44 per 1000 residents

Net international migration: +177
Here:  +7 per 1000 residents
State:  +20 per 1000 residents

Net internal migration: -491
Here:  -20 per 1000 residents
State:  +21 per 1000 residents



Population growth in Union County

Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 3.72 millions of gallons per day (all from ground)

Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:  6.0
State:  6.1

Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:  4.1
State:  4.0



Year house built:

  • 1999 to March 2000: 83
  • 1995 to 1998: 672
  • 1990 to 1994: 372
  • 1980 to 1989: 1,055
  • 1970 to 1979: 2,578
  • 1960 to 1969: 1,103
  • 1950 to 1959: 876
  • 1940 to 1949: 774
  • 1939 or earlier: 3,090


Rooms in owner-occupied houses in Union County, Oregon:

  • 1 room: 16
  • 2 rooms: 70
  • 3 rooms: 223
  • 4 rooms: 755
  • 5 rooms: 1,420
  • 6 rooms: 1,581
  • 7 rooms: 1,176
  • 8 rooms: 595
  • 9 or more rooms: 646


Rooms in renter-occupied apartments in Union County, Oregon:

  • 1 room: 180
  • 2 rooms: 274
  • 3 rooms: 576
  • 4 rooms: 976
  • 5 rooms: 576
  • 6 rooms: 361
  • 7 rooms: 146
  • 8 rooms: 96
  • 9 or more rooms: 73


Bedrooms in owner-occupied houses and condos in Union County:

  • no bedroom: 19
  • 1 bedroom: 251
  • 2 bedrooms: 1,602
  • 3 bedrooms: 3,264
  • 4 bedrooms: 1,060
  • 5 or more bedrooms: 286


Bedrooms in renter-occupied apartments in Union County:

  • no bedroom: 244
  • 1 bedroom: 704
  • 2 bedrooms: 1,346
  • 3 bedrooms: 716
  • 4 bedrooms: 201
  • 5 or more bedrooms: 47


Cars and other vehicles available in Union County in owner-occupied houses/condos:

  • no vehicle: 242
  • 1 vehicle: 1,336
  • 2 vehicles: 2,882
  • 3 vehicles: 1,381
  • 4 vehicles: 430
  • 5 or more vehicles: 211


Cars and other vehicles available in Union County in renter-occupied apartments

  • no vehicle: 504
  • 1 vehicle: 1,386
  • 2 vehicles: 964
  • 3 vehicles: 265
  • 4 vehicles: 82
  • 5 or more vehicles: 57

51% of Union County residents lived in the same house 5 years ago.
   Out of people who lived in different houses, 50% lived in this county.
   Out of people who lived in different counties, 55% lived in Oregon.

Union County:  50.8%
State average:  48.0%


Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:

  • This state: 13086
  • Northeast: 490
  • Midwest: 1942
  • South: 1132
  • West: 7014

Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses in 2000: $82,200


Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities: 1%

Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities: 2%


Year Householders Moved Into Unit:

 


Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos:


  • Utility gas (58%)
  • Electricity (15%)
  • Wood (13%)
  • Bottled, tank, or LP gas (7%)
  • Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (6%)
  • Other fuel (1%)


Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments:


  • Utility gas (45%)
  • Electricity (38%)
  • Wood (8%)
  • Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (4%)
  • Bottled, tank, or LP gas (4%)
  • Other fuel (1%)

Private vs. public school enrollment:
Students in private schools in grades 1 to 8 (elementary and middle school): 199
Here:  7.4%
Oregon:  9.7%

Students in private schools in grades 9 to 12 (high school): 52
Here:  3.1%
Oregon:  7.6%

Students in private undergraduate colleges: 53
Here:  2.7%
Oregon:  16.1%



Educational Attainment




School Enrollment by Level of School



Age and Sex of Sensory-Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)



Age and Sex of Physically-Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)



Age and Sex of Mentally-Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)



Age and Sex of Self-Care Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)



Age and Sex of Go-Outside-Home Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)



Age and Sex of Residents with Employment Disability (Noninstitutionalized)

Union County government finances in 2004:
  • Charges - Air Transportation: $515,000
  • Charges - Parks & Recreation: $443,000
    All Other: $303,000
    Regular Highways: $198,000
  • Construction - Regular Highways: $2,026,000
    Air Transportation: $47,000
  • Current Operations - Regular Highways: $2,459,000
    Corrections - Other: $2,383,000
    General - Other: $1,875,000
    Financial Administration: $786,000
    Central Staff Services: $772,000
    Police Protection: $674,000
    Judicial and Legal Services: $552,000
    Parks & Recreation: $547,000
    Air Transportation: $486,000
    General Public Buildings: $413,000
    Natural Resources - Other: $303,000
    Housing & Community Development: $300,000
    Welfare - Other: $229,000
    Health Services - Other: $141,000
  • Federal Intergovernmental - General Support: $321,000
    Housing & Community Development: $300,000
    All Other: $23,000
    Public Welfare: $18,000
    Highways: $2,000
  • General - Interest on Debt: $124,000
  • Intergovernmental to Local NEC - Elementary and Secondary Education: $328,000
    General: $13,000
  • Local Intergovernmental - Highways: $94,000
    Health & Hospitals: $65,000
    All Other: $57,000
  • Long Term Debt Beginning Outstanding, NEC: $2,356,000
  • Long Term Debt Outstanding - Full Faith & Credit - Other, NEC: $2,302,000
  • Long Term Debt Retired Unspecified - Other, NEC: $54,000
  • Miscellaneous - General Revenue, NEC: $331,000
    Interest Earnings: $45,000
  • Other Capital Outlay - General - Other: $100,000
    Air Transportation: $23,000
    Police Protection: $22,000
    Natural Resource - Other: $17,000
    Regular Highways: $14,000
    Financial Administration: $11,000
  • Other Funds - Cash & Deposits: $3,271,000
  • State Intergovernmental - Highways: $5,248,000
    All Other: $1,431,000
    General Support: $859,000
    Public Welfare: $276,000
  • Tax - Property: $3,088,000
    Other Selective Sales: $124,000
    NEC: $4,000
  • Total Salaries & Wages: $4,667,000



Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Total Number Of Recipients

  • 1999: 453
  • 2000: 447
  • 2001: 477
  • 2002: 481
  • 2003: 497
  • 2004: 525
  • 2005: 493
  • 2006: 510


Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of aged recipients

  • 1999: 65
  • 2000: 57
  • 2001: 58
  • 2002: 53
  • 2003: 51
  • 2004: 56
  • 2005: 47
  • 2006: 47


Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of blind and disabled recipients

  • 1999: 388
  • 2000: 390
  • 2001: 419
  • 2002: 428
  • 2003: 446
  • 2004: 469
  • 2005: 446
  • 2006: 463


Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of recipients under 18

  • 1999: 73
  • 2000: 69
  • 2001: 66
  • 2002: 66
  • 2003: 73
  • 2004: 75
  • 2005: 69
  • 2006: 69


Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of recipients between 18 and 64

  • 1999: 286
  • 2000: 295
  • 2001: 322
  • 2002: 329
  • 2003: 340
  • 2004: 357
  • 2005: 339
  • 2006: 349


Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of recipients older than 64

  • 1999: 94
  • 2000: 83
  • 2001: 89
  • 2002: 86
  • 2003: 84
  • 2004: 93
  • 2005: 85
  • 2006: 92


Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of recipients also receiving OASDI

  • 1999: 190
  • 2000: 177
  • 2001: 187
  • 2002: 198
  • 2003: 193
  • 2004: 216
  • 2005: 197
  • 2006: 208


Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Amount of payments (thousands of dollars)

  • 1999: 146
  • 2000: 168
  • 2001: 170
  • 2002: 209
  • 2003: 196
  • 2004: 215
  • 2005: 200
  • 2006: 214